Page 83 of Brutal Reign

“Says the man who threatened to shoot someone because he’s late for bedtime.”

Our vehicle pulls through the compound gates, and I check my phone. Nine o’clock.

Probably too late, but fuck it. I’m out of the car before it fully stops, taking the front steps three at a time. There’s a light sheen of sweat on my forehead by the time I reach Kin’s room. I’m acting on pure instinct, like a man whose world has shrunk to a single point. But I don’t care. The need to see them outweighs everything.

I knock softly on the door to his room. After a moment, Hope opens it, her eyebrows pressing together when she sees me. The room behind her is dark, and I don’t have to guess why. He’s asleep.

She steps into the hallway and closes the door behind her. She’s in yoga pants and a tank top. Her hair is pulled into a loose ponytail, though a few strands fall around her face. I didn’t realize she wears glasses, but she does now, and I find it hot in a sexy librarian kind of way—another Hope fantasy for the spank bank.

When she clears her throat, I realize I’ve been staring at her.

“Is Kin still up?” I ask, loosening my tie. “I wanted to say goodnight to him.”

“He just fell asleep. He’s been having trouble lately.” She checks her watch and grimaces. “Four-year-olds usually go to bed a lot earlier than this.”

“Yeah, I figured.” I drag a hand through my hair, feeling like an idiot. “Business ran longer than expected.”

“I’m still awake,” Kin announces from inside the room.

Hope brings her hands up to her face, shaking her head. “God help me,” she groans.

“Can Pavel read me a book? Please, please, please!”

I offer her my most charming smile. “One book. What do you say?”

She rolls her eyes, but a grin tugs at her plush lips. Lips I’ve been fantasizing about tasting again. “He’s going to riot if I say no.”

Hope opens the door, and I follow her into the dark room. Kin is sitting up in his small bed, clutching a worn copy of some children’s book.

“Pavel!” His face lights up, and his expression alone hits me square in the chest.

“What’ve you got there, buddy?”

“Goodnight Moon!” He holds the book up for me to see. “It’s my favorite.”

I settle onto one side of the bed while Hope takes the other, Kin between us. The mattress dips under my weight, and myknee brushes against hers. Even that innocent contact sends awareness of her shooting through me.

“Alright, here we go.” I clear my throat dramatically. “In the great green room, there was...”

As I read, I catch Hope’s eye over Kin’s head, and she gives me a soft smile.

A few pages in, I pause and look at Kin. “Wait, are we really saying goodnight to everything in this room?”

He nods with a giggle.

I continue reading, but when I get to “goodnight mush”, I stop entirely. “Mush? Who the hel— Heck says goodnight to mush?” I look at Hope, then back at Kin. “And their brush? What brush needs a bedtime story?”

“Don’t look at me,” Hope says, raising both hands. “It’s weird, but kids love it.”

I look at Kin and narrow my eyes. “This old lady whispering hush is highly suspicious. What’s she doing in his room anyway?”

“She’s being sneaky,” Kin whispers.

“Exactly,” I point out. “If some old lady was whispering in my room, I’d have some major concerns.”

By the final page, Kin has mellowed into sleepy contentment, his eyes drooping as he loses the fight to stay awake. Hope leans down to kiss his forehead and reaches over to switch off the bedside lamp, but other than that, neither of us moves, not wanting to wake him after he drifted off.

The room settles into peaceful quiet, Kin’s breathing the only sound between us.